black locust: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Botanical/Everyday (in regions where the tree is common)
Quick answer
What does “black locust” mean?
A deciduous tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) native to North America, known for its fragrant white flowers, hard wood, and compound leaves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deciduous tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) native to North America, known for its fragrant white flowers, hard wood, and compound leaves.
The wood from this tree, valued for its durability and resistance to rot, often used for fence posts, decking, and outdoor furniture. In some contexts, it refers to the tree as an invasive species outside its native range.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The tree is not native to the UK and is less common there, so the term is primarily used in botanical/arboricultural contexts. In the US, it is a familiar tree name, especially in rural and eastern regions.
Connotations
In the US, it can have positive connotations (durable wood, fragrant flowers) and negative (invasive, suckering habit). In the UK, it is primarily a technical term for a non-native species.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “black locust” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] black locust [VERB] in the garden.They made the fence from [QUANTIFIER] black locust.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black locust” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used attributively] The black-locust timber was imported.
American English
- They built a black-locust picnic table for the garden.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in timber/landscaping industries: 'We source sustainable black locust for our decking products.'
Academic
Used in botany, ecology, forestry papers: 'Robinia pseudoacacia exhibits allelopathic effects on understory vegetation.'
Everyday
Used in gardening/land management: 'The black locust by the driveway is in full bloom.'
Technical
Used in woodworking/horticulture: 'Black locust has a Janka hardness rating of 1700 lbf.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black locust”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black locust”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black locust”
- Using 'locust' alone to mean this tree (ambiguous, could mean insect or honey locust tree). Misspelling as 'black locus'. Incorrect capitalisation (not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different species. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) has white flowers, compound leaves, and thick thorns. Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) often has larger, branched thorns and different seed pods.
The fragrant flowers are edible and sometimes used for making fritters or flavouring honey. However, the bark, leaves, and seeds are toxic and should not be consumed.
Early European colonists in America thought the tree resembled the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), which was known as 'locust' in some contexts. The name 'black' distinguishes it from the 'honey' locust.
Yes, it is excellent firewood. It burns very hot and slowly, producing long-lasting coals, similar to hickory or oak.
A deciduous tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) native to North America, known for its fragrant white flowers, hard wood, and compound leaves.
Black locust is usually technical/botanical/everyday (in regions where the tree is common) in register.
Black locust: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈləʊ.kəst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈloʊ.kəst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific tree name]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOCUST insect with a BLACK, hard shell; this tree has hard, durable wood and dark bark.
Conceptual Metaphor
DURABILITY IS HARDNESS (embodied in the wood); INVASIVENESS IS AGGRESSION (due to its spreading root suckers).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason black locust wood is valued?